tion of several counties in England, is originally owing to the labours of the monks, who, at this early period, were the parents of agriculture as well as of the arts.

If the monastic bodies thus acquired opulence for themselves, they were not insensible to the wants of the unfortunate. The constant exercise of charity and hospitality had been indispensibly enjoined by all their legislators. Within the precincts of each, monastery stood an edifice, distinguished by the Greek name of Xenodochium, in which a certain number of paupers received their daily support, and which was gratuitously opened to every traveller, who solicited relief. The monks were divided into classes, of which each in rotation succeeded to the service of the hospital. The abbot alone was exempted. To confine his attendance to particular days was repugnant to his other and more important occupations: but he was exhorted frequently to join his brethren, in the performance of this humble and edifying duty. To the assistant monks it was recommended to

Coldingham, Lindisfarne, Bambrough, Tinmouth, Jarrow, Weremouth, Hartlepool, and Whitby: the marshes of the Girvii were drained and improved by the monks of Croyland, Thorney, Ely, Ramsey, and Medhamsted. This fenny region, the theatre of monastic industry, extended the space of 68 miles, from the borders of Suffolk to Wainfleet in Lincolnshire, (Camden's Cambridgeshire.) After the lapse of so many centuries, there is reason to fear, that a very considerable part of it will be again lost to cultivation, by repeated inundations. In the years 1795, 1799, and 1800, about 140,000 acres were under water. "Two or three "more floods," says Mr Young, "will complete the ruin and 300,000 aeres of the richest land in Great Britain will revert to "their ancient proprietors, the frogs, the coots, and the wild "ducks of the region." Annals of Agriculture, 1804.

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shut their ears to the suggestions of pride and indolence; to revere the saviour of mankind in the persons of the poor, and to recollect that every good office rendered to them, he would reward as done to himself (83). Severity and impatience were strictly forbidden: they were to speak with kindness, and to serve with cheerfulness: to instruct the ignorance, console the sorrows, and alleviate the pains, of their guests: to attach the highest im'portance to their employment; and to prefer the service of the indigent Brethren of Christ, before that of the wealthy children of the world (84). The legislator, who framed these regulations, must have been inspired by the true spirit of the gospel; to execute them with fidelity, required men actuated by motives superior to those of mercenary attendants; and humanity will gratefully cherish the memory of these asylums, erected for the support of indigence and misfortune (85).

"But it was in the time of public distress, that the charity of the monks was displayed in all its lustre. In

(83) St Matt. c. xxv. v. 40.

(84) Nec pauperibus æterni Christi vicarius tardus ac tepidus *ministrare differendo desistat, qui celer ac fervidus divitibus caducis ministrando occurrere desiderat. Apost. Bened. app. par. 3, P. 92.

(85) When the humanity of Louis XVI. induced him to improve the state of the public hospitals in France, a member of the academy of sciences was sent to inquire into the manner in which similar establishments were conducted in this country. At his return he gave to the English hospitals that praise which they so justly merit but observed, that to render them perfect, two things were wanting, the zeal of the French curates, and the charity of the hospital nuns. "Mais il y manque deux choses, nos curés et nos hospitaliéres." Bergier, Art. Hôpitaux.

their mutual wars the Saxon princes ravaged each others territories without mercy; and, after the establishment of the monarchy, the devastations of the Danes frequently reduced the natives to the extremity of want. Agriculture was yet, except among the monastic bodies, in its infancy. The most plentiful years could scarcely supply the general consumption, and as often as an unfavourable season stinted, the growth, or a hostile invasion swept away the produce of the harvest, famine, with its inseparable attendant pestilence, was the necessary result. On such occasions the monks were eager to relieve the wants of their countrymen; and whoever is conversant with their writers, must have remarked the satisfaction, with which they recount the charitable exertions of their most celebrated abbots. Among these, a distinguished place is due to Leofric, the tenth abbot of St Albans (86). To erect a church, which in magnificence might equal the dignity of the abbey, had been the favourite project of his two immediate predecessors. The ruins of the ancient Verulam had been explored; the necessary materials had been prepared; the treasury was filled with the donations of their friends; and a profusion of gold and silver vases proved the extent of their resources. Leofric, in the vigour of manhood, succeeded to their riches and their projects: and his hopes were gratified with the prospect of erecting an edifice, which would transmit his name with honour to posterity. But the public calamity soon dissipated the flattering illusion. The horrors of famine depopulated the country, and his heart melted at the distress of his brethren. He cheer

(86) An. 1000.

fully resolved to sacrifice the object of his ambition; the granaries of the monastery were opened to the sufferers; the riches of the treasury were expended for their relief; the plate reserved for his table was melted down; and, as a last resource, he ventured to sell the precious ornaments destined for the use and decoration of the church (87). Of his monks there were several, who murmured at the liberality of their abbot; but they were careful to conceal their avarice beneath the mask of piety. Whatever had been once consecrated to the service of God, could not, they observed, without impiety, be alienated to profane purposes. Leofric meekly, but truly replied, that the living were to be preferred to the inanimate temples of God: and that to support the former was a work of superior obligation to the decoration of the latter. His conduct was applauded: and his opponents were condemned to silence by the voice of the public (88).

In the same rank with Leofric, we may place Godric, the abbot of Croyland. His monastery, situated in the midst of deep and extensive marshes, offered a secure asylum to the crowds that fled from the exterminating swords of the Danes. Though his treasury had been lately pillaged by the officers of the crown; though Swein, the chieftain of the barbarians, threatened him with his resentment; Godric listened not to the suggestions of terror or of prudence, but received the fugitives with open arms, consoled them in their losses, and associated them to his own fortunes. During several months Croyland swarmed with strangers, who were ac

T

(87) Some jewels and cameos were excepted, for which he could find no purchaser. Mat. Paris, p. 995.

(88) Ibid.

commodated and supported at his expence. The cloisters and the choir were reserved for his own monks, and those of the neighbouring monasteries: the fugitive clergy chose for their residence the body of the church: the men were lodged in the other apartments of the abbey; and the women and children were placed in temporary buildings erected in the cemetery. But the most vigilant economy was soon compelled to sink under the accumulated expenses. The anxiety of the benevolent abbot was daily increased by the suspicions of Ethelred, and the menaces of Swein; and in his anguish he was heard to envy the fate of those whom he had followed to the grave. A last expedient remained, to solicit the friendship of Norman, a powerful retainer of Duke Edric; and the grant of a valuable manor for the term of one hundred years, secured the protection of that nobleman. While he lived, Croyland enjoyed tranquillity; but the estate was unjustly retained by his descendants, and never recovered by the abbey (89).

(89) Ingulf. f. 507. An. 1010. See note (G).